Page 39 of Saving Little Clark

"No, it's nothing. Just thought I recognized someone for a second."

An image of Sterling sprang to mind, with his cold, dead eyes. But Clark had assured me Sterling was in hiding. I turned to look for the figure again, but he was gone.

I gave Clark’s hand a gentle squeeze.

"You got this, sweetheart," I murmured, infusing my voice with calm encouragement. "It's just you and me out here. No one else matters."

Clark swallowed hard, his grip tightening on mine. "Promise you won't laugh?"

"Never," I vowed. "I'll be cheering you on the whole time."

Then, with one last searching look at me, he released my hand and marched toward the playground with purpose. Pride suffused my chest as I watched him clamber up the short ladder, his movements still a bit stiff and self-conscious. He paused at the top of the slide as he glanced down at me.

"You've got this, my sweet boy!" I called.

A grin, sunshine bright and achingly beautiful, before he plopped down on the smooth plastic and pushed off with a whoop. He hit the ground in an uncoordinated tangle of limbs, his delighted laughter echoing across the empty playground.

"Again!" he crowed, scampering to his feet and making a beeline for the ladder once more. His eyes sparkled with unfettered joy, the earlier tension nowhere to be found.

Chuckling, I leaned against the playset and watched my boy clamber up and down the slide to his heart's content, each gleeful shriek of laughter more precious than the last.

Finally, I swooped him up into my arms, twirling him around until he was breathless and giddy.

"Having fun?"

"The most fun!" He beamed up at me, eyes crinkling at the corners. "Can we do this every day?"

“Sure. What if we made stuff like this a regular part of our dates from now on? Like, we could hit up the zoo next weekend.”

He was practically wiggling with excitement. "And we could build the biggest blanket fort in my living room. With fairy lights and everything."

I tapped my chin, pretending to mull it over. "I dunno, you don't think we're a little old for blanket forts?"

His brow furrowed before he caught my teasing smirk. "Hey!" He poked me in the ribs, pouting adorably. "You're never too old for forts. It's like, the law."

"Oh?" I adopted a serious expression, nodding solemnly. "Far be it from me to break the sacred blanket fort laws. I guess I'll just have to leave the construction to the expert, then.”

"Nuh-uh!" he shook his head vehemently. "You gotta help. Forts are a two-person job. Them's the rules. I can't do all the work while you just sit there looking pretty."

My lips twitched at his imperious tone. "Aww, you think I'm pretty? I'm flattered, my sweet boy."

Pink bloomed across the bridge of his nose. "You're missing the point."

Unable to resist any longer, I swept him back into my arms and silenced his flustered protests with a smackingkiss. He melted against me instantly, his slender arms winding around my neck as he sighed into my mouth.

Chapter 17: Brody

The ride back to Clark's apartment passed in a blur. Every so often, I'd sneak a glance at my boy beside me, marveling at the contented smile playing about his lips, the way the passing streetlights gilded his skin in honey and gold. He looked peaceful, like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

As I pulled into a spot outside his building and killed the engine, Clark turned to me with a start.

"Oh shoot, don't we have that reservation at Le Bernardin in like, an hour?" He glanced at the dashboard clock. "Just give me like ten minutes and I'll be ready."

"Hey, slow down," I soothed. "It's okay, sweetheart. We don't have to go to some stuffy restaurant tonight."

Clark paused. "But you made those reservations a week ago. I thought it was supposed to be this whole big romantic thing, with the tasting menu and the wine pairings."

Tugging him closer, I brushed a lock of hair off his forehead, smiling at the way he automatically leaned into my touch. "Sure, I thought it would impress you. But today made me realize that I just want to spend time with you, in whatever way makes you feel happy and cared for. So why don't we have a cozy night in instead, hmm? We can do whatever your little heart desires."

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